We have just come off the heels of a wonderful Annual Gala – A Night in Monte Carlo, and I was humbled by the opportunity to be among the businesses and leaders who came together to celebrate past success and to look ahead at our future plans for strengthening our community. There are so many generous companies and hard-working volunteers who contributed resources and time to make the night a success. Please join me in thanking our VIP Sponsors: AT&T Mobility, Corporate Travel Planners, eESI, Frost, McCombs Enterprises, Security Service Federal Credit Union, SWBC, USAA Real Estate Company and Texas Capital Bank; as well as all of the event sponsors, North Chamber staff, creative and sales team volunteers and the Dahill team for their support of the evening.
Additionally, I know we all enjoyed the casino gaming benefiting the wounded warriors and the North Chamber’s educational non-profit, Lead SA. It was an incredible honor to host and recognize the wounded warriors. We’re pleased to be able to support them, and I know that each of you will continue to honor the men and women serving in our armed forces.
Buy Local. Buy North Chamber.
It doesn’t go without saying – 2013 is the year to Buy local. Buy North Chamber. Each of our companies has to purchase to run our businesses. I challenge each of you to take the first step by making a list of your top five or ten purchasing needs and look from within the North Chamber membership to fill that need. You can begin your search by going online to northsachamber.com and clicking on the FIND A MEMBER tab to search the North Chamber’s online membership directory. Additionally, think about the folks you’ve met at North Chamber events or serving on chamber committees that may offer a service or product you’re seeking. And if you require more specialized assistance, just call the North Chamber to obtain a referral or a list of providers for a specific business category.
Go online. Get connected.
Whether you’ve entered or mastered the digital arena or not, there is no arguing that we are indeed operating in the digital age. It can be a little scary for some of us, but all sizes and types of businesses are using technology, web, email and perhaps social and mobile media at some level to operate and/or market their businesses.
There’s never a better time than now to get educated, go online and get connected. To seize the moment, take advantage of high quality low cost instruction at the Small Business How 2 Series. On Tuesday, March 19, you can learn How 2 set social media policy for your organization, and thereafter learn how to create and share content on the top social networks and how to integrate your digital media.
Furthermore, please take advantage of the digital marketing tools the North Chamber has provided our members. First, I hope you’ll join me and Dahill in “liking” and “following” the North SA Chamber on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter – where the North Chamber will help your company fan-build and increase visibility by posting member company news and “sharing” and “re-tweeting” member social content.
Visit the Marketing Toolkit to learn how to submit company news, add a coupon to your directory listing and enhance your directory listing with a color logo, detailed company description and social media links.
Building Leaders
At Dahill, we were proud to sponsor the February 13 kick-off breakfast welcoming the 84-member Leadership Lab Class of 2013! Special thanks to our 2012 North Chamber chairman of the board Larry Anthis, Frost; 2014 chair-elect, Clay Jett, Texas Capital Bank; and Leadership & Professional Development Council Chair, Annie Turner, Wells Fargo, for attending and providing remarks to inspire the Lab class to discover, be inspired and succeed. I also want to recognize the Leadership Lab chair, Malcolm McGee, CMIT Solutions, and co-chair Lisa Pinto, SWBC, for their leadership. I know you’ll continue to support these emerging leaders.
Be a part of it.
The North Chamber remains committed to offering topical and timely, quality programs. We do that through partnership with and the participation of our member companies and the individuals within them. The only way your company is going to truly benefit from all the chamber’s offerings is to tap in and connect now. To learn more about what events and committees are awaiting your involvement, go to northsachamber.com and click on Participation Opportunities. Remember, everything we do as companies and individuals is making a difference and helps to keep San Antonio and Bexar County strong!